The oil guzzling cars and jeeps in the government offices will soon make way for electric cars as the State aims at promoting non-polluting vehicles. The government, which has brought in the Electric Mobility Policy 2018-2023 to encourage use of carbon-free cars, has followed it up by signing with the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL). The EESL in principle has agreed to invest a whopping ₹10,250 crore in the State to procure 1,00,000 cars.
“We are planning to replace the petrol/diesel cars being used on hire basis with electric cars. I have asked the two automobile companies — the Mahindra and the Tata and Sons — to provide 100 cars before the end of December. The New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of AP will be the nodal agency for the project,’’ said Collector Kona Sasidhar who had a feel of the cars at his camp office on Wednesday. The governement foots a heavy bill on hired cars by paying ₹18,000 to ₹24,000 per month as rent.
The two signature electric cars, the Mahindra Verito and the Tata Tigor, can be charged for six hours with AC charger and 90 minutes with DC charger and can travel for 100-110 km. On the economy side, fuel costs just ₹1 for every one km but on the flip side, the success depends on the electric charging stations. In advanced countries like the U.S. and Canada, one can find electric charging stations at wholesale stores and in government offices.
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The introduction of electric cars, however, could provide smart solutions to the concerns over increasing carbon emissions and pave way for cleaner cities, apart from rise in fuel prices. It is estimated that 2.5 kg of carbon and 60 grams of nitrogen are emitted for every litre of diesel. There is a rise in the incidence of lung cancer and respiratory diseases.